Thank you, Children’s Mercy with Mercy, for sponsoring Dear Springfield Mama.
With summer right around the corner, many of us parents are thinking about how phones, screens, and social media tend to creep further into our kids’ lives once school is out.
The days sprawl on, unstructured, and suddenly the tablet that was supposed to buy you 20 minutes to unload groceries turns into three hours of Roblox and a child covered in Cheeto dust.
We want a childhood for our kids that’s unplugged, and yet… summer is long and sometimes exhausting.
Where do we even start when it comes to healthy screen time boundaries? How much social media is too much?
Helping parents with a game plan
An upcoming event is a timely answer to our worries. There’s a chance for parents to learn from local experts — two psychologists in Springfield — at a free gathering for parents at the Route 66 Stadium (formerly Hammons Field). The best part? They are offering free childcare while the parents enjoy the educational session (and light refreshments) without distractions.
Event Details
Date: June 1, 2026
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: Route 66 Stadium (formerly Hammons Field), 955 E. Trafficway St., Springfield, MO 65802
Registration required. You can register here.
What will parents learn?
- How social media and screen time can affect children’s mental health
- Ways to set healthy boundaries around phones and screens
- How to start conversations with your child about online safety
- Practical strategies for different ages and stages
What will the kids do?
While you’re learning about healthy screen boundaries, your children will get to enjoy kid-friendly fun organized by the Springfield Cardinals staff.
Who will be teaching us?
The featured speakers will include:
Haley Killian, PhD
Clinical Psychologist, Children’s Mercy
Megan Bolch, PhD
Clinical Psychologist, Children’s Mercy
The event is free, but registration is encouraged because childcare spots are limited.
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